Jul 30, 2021
MLB Trade Deadline Blog: Deadline passes
The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone. Follow along with the latest news and rumours as deals still creep in.
TSN.ca Staff
The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone. Follow along with the latest news and rumours as deals still creep in.
Red Sox send Chavis to Pirates for Davis
Another arm has left the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Boston has traded Michael Chavis to Pittsburgh for Austin Davis.
— keithlaw (@keithlaw) July 30, 2021
Keith Law reports that the team has sent reliever Austin Davis to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Michael Chavis.
Braves grab Soler from Royals, nab Rodriguez from Bucs
Jorge Soler was a member of the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series-winning team and like so many others from that team, he got traded today.
Right-hander Kasey Kalich is headed back to Kansas City for Jorge Soler, source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports the 29-year-old outfielder is on the move from the Kansas City Royals to the Atlanta Braves.
Soler becomes the third outfielder acquired by the Braves today after Eddie Rosario and Adam Duvall.
Richard Rodriguez goes to Atlanta, source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
The team also added closer Richard Rodriguez from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Passan reports.
The 31-year-old right-hander has 14 saves this season.
Jays acquire Soria
After bringing Brad Hand aboard on Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays made another addition to their bullpen on Friday.
TSN's Scott Mitchell confirms that the Jays have acquired 37-year-old veteran reliever Joakim Soria from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
#BlueJays have acquired Joakim Soria, per source.@Gambo987 and @bnicholsonsmith are on it.
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) July 30, 2021
A veteran of 14 seasons, the two-time All-Star has 229 career saves and is joining his ninth team.
Buxton stays put
The Minnesota Twins made a number of deals on Friday, but Byron Buxton was not among any.
No Buxton trade. Staying with Twins.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2021
Ken Rosenthal reports the speedy outfielder has remained with the team despite a reported impasse in contract negotiations.
Phillies to acquire Gibson, Kennedy
The Philadelphia Phillies are getting in on the act.
Phillies making their move: Finalizing a deal to get starter Kyle Gibson and reliever Ian Kennedy from the Texas Rangers, sources tell ESPN. First on the scene was @Ken_Rosenthal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
According to multiples reports, they are set to land starting pitcher Kyle Gibson and reliever Ian Kennedy from the Texas Rangers.
Nats send Harrison, Gomes to A's
The Washington Nationals have made yet another move, sending infielder Josh Harrison and catcher Yan Gomes to the Oakland Athletics, reports ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The Oakland A’s are in agreement on a deal to acquire infielder Josh Harrison and catcher Yan Gomes from the Washington Nationals. Deal is pending medicals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
The Nationals have now traded seven players from their big league roster in the past 48 hours.
Mets grab Baez
The teardown of the Chicago Cubs continues with the trade of Javier Baez to the New York Mets.
The #Mets have just acquired #Cubs shortstop Javy Baez, per @martinonyc
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2021
Multiple sources report the two teams have reached a deal for the two-time All-Star shortstop.
Baez, 28, is batting .248 with 22 HR, 65 RBI and a .775 OPS.
Eyes turn to Iglesias
So it turns out Craig Kimbrel was the next name to move.
That means teams looking for a high-end reliever might now focus their attention on Los Angeles Angels closer Rasiel Iglesias.
What makes Raisel Iglesias #Angels so attractive in the market, beyond the obvious elite stuff, is the ability to work multiple innings. He has gotten at least 4 outs 12 times and has a 0.95 ERA in those games.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2021
As Joel Sherman notes, Iglesias is far more than simply a ninth-inning guy and has gotten at least four outs on 12 occasions this year.
The 31-year-old Iglesias is a free agent at season's end.
Kimbrel next name to move?
Is Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel the next big name off the board?
Sources, reports link number of teams to Kimbrel: LAD kicking around but unlikely. ATL checked in, also unlikely. TB involved. HOU still looking for bullpen help, though Kimbrel or Iglesias might push them over threshold. CWS also mentioned, recently acquired Tepera from Cubs.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2021
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports a number of teams are still interested in the eight-time All-Star's services, but the levels of interest in each team varies. Rosenthal notes it's unlikely that the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves (one of the 33-year-old Kimbrel's former teams) or Houston Astros deals for him, while the Tampa Bay Rays remain interested and the Houston Astros, who have already loaded up their bullpent, could also be involved.
Kimbrel's 371 career saves are ninth-most all-time.
Blue Jays DFA Chatwood
To make room on the 40-man roster for Jose Berrios, the Toronto Blue Jays have designated reliever Tyler Chatwood for assignment.
ROSTER MOVE: To make room on our 40-man roster for RHP José Berríos, RHP Tyler Chatwood has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/InSeLPeR50
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 30, 2021
Chatwood, 31, made 30 appearances for the Jays this season, going 1-2 with a 5.46 ERA and 1.429 WHIP over 28.0 IP.
The native of Redlands, CA is a 10-year veteran, having also spent time with the Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs.
Norris heads to Brewers
Traded once before at the trade deadline, Daniel Norris is on the move again.
The Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a deal to acquire left-hander Daniel Norris from the Detroit Tigers, sources tell @kileymcd and me.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports the Milwaukee Brewers are acquiring the left-hander from the Detroit Tigers.
Norris was acquired by the Tigers from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 as part of the return for David Price.
Pitching prospect Reece Olson is expected to be the return to Detroit.
Braves grab Rosario, Duvall
The Atlanta Braves made a double addition to their outfield on Friday, trading for Eddie Rosario from Cleveland in exchange for Pablo Sandoval and reacquiring Adam Duvall from the Miami Marlins.
#Braves Acquire OF Adam Duvall: pic.twitter.com/mSQEup6SDY
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 30, 2021
Rosario, 29, was in his first season with Cleveland after seven years with the Minnesota Twins. He was batting .296 with seven HR, 46 RBI and a .685 OPS.
Duvall, 32, spent the past three seasons in Atlanta before joining the Marlins in the offseason. He was batting .229 with 22 HR, 68 RBI and a .755 OPS.
Gray going nowhere?
Colorado Rockies starter Jon Gray is an impending free agent, but the team appears reticent to part with the 29-year-old righty.
Teams are being told Rockies starter Jon Gray will not be dealt. He’s a free agent after the season but the Rockies are expected to extend the qualifying offer to him, perhaps with hopes of locking him up long-term.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2021
Jon Heyman notes that the Rockies intend to hang onto Gray and extend him a qualifying offer. The team could even attempt to extend the Oklahoma product who is currently in his seventh big league season.
In 18 starts this season, Gray is 6-6 with a 3.67 ERA and 1.224 WHIP over 98.0 IP.
Jays in on Story
One of the teams that could be active on Friday afternoon is the Colorado Rockies. Among their more coveted assets is shortstop Trevor Story.
The Mets, Blue Jays and Giants are among the teams with continued interest in Trevor Story, per sources. The Rockies must decide whether the offers coming in are better than the compensatory draft picks they would receive if he leaves as a free agent.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2021
Mark Feinsand reports the Toronto Blue Jays - along with the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants - have continued interest in the 28-year-old two-time All-Star.
In 89 games this season, Story is batting .240 with 13 home runs, 48 runs batted in and an OPS of .741.
Feinsand notes that the Rockies could be weighing whether a return in a potential trade today would be worth more than the compensatory draft pick they could receive if they submit him a qualifying offer and he leaves as a free agent in the offseason.
Starting pitcher Jon Gray is also expected to draw interest from multiple teams.
All eyes on Berrios
If the Minnesota Twins decide to move Jose Berrios, they aren't going to have any shortage of suitors.
Count the Yankees, Rays and Mariners among the suitors for Jose Berríos, per sources. They join the Padres, Blue Jays and Mets as interested teams, as Berríos is expected to be moved before the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2021
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand notes that the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners are all vying for Berrios's services.
In 20 starts this season, Berrios is 7-5 with an earned run average of 3.48 and 1.044 WHIP over 121.2 innings pitched. He's struck out 126 batters and walked 32.
Cubs open for business?
With the trade of Anthony Rizzo to the New York Yankees on Thursday, the Chicago Cubs have indicated a willingness to move on from some of their biggest names, but is there more to come?
Hearing a combination deal - Davies and one of the two position players - is one possibility. But nothing close at this point. https://t.co/FPMjt4WJob
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2021
Jumping on a report from Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic indicates that the New York Mets are interested in starter Zach Davies, but also in stars Kris Bryant and Javier Baez.
Baez and Bryant were key pieces of the team's 2016 World Series-winning team, but both are free agents at season's end and it remains to be seen if the Cubs are interested in retaining players pushing 30 as they begin to embrace a youth movement. The 28-year-old Davies is also an impending free agent.
Closer Craig Kimbrel, again, an impending free agent, could also be dealt.
Who's left to trade in DC?
Thursday was an exceptionally busy day for the Washington Nationals.
The team dealt future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer and infielder Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers, closer Brad Hand to the Toronto Blue Jays, reliever Daniel Hudson to the San Diego Padres and outfielder Kyle Schwarber to the Boston Red Sox.
Is there anything left for the team to move outside of maybe some copper wiring?
Well, yes. As Jon Heyman notes, among the players who could still be traded by the team include veteran catchers Yan Gomes and Alex Avila, as well as infielder Josh Harrison.
Nats setting a speed selloff record today. Still possibly to go: Yan Gomes, Josh Harrison, Alex Avila
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 30, 2021
All three players are impending free agents.
Twins still looking to sell?
The Minnesota Twins, a playoff team in three of the last four seasons, have greatly underperformed in 2021. The team, widely expected to contend for the American League Central crown, currently sits at 43-60, dead last in the division and 17 games back of the Chicago White Sox.
The team moved veteran slugger Nelson Cruz to the Tampa Bay Rays last week and there could be more to come.
As you would expect, once Scherzer was off board, the chase for #Twins ace Jose Berrios intensified as best SP left in market. Question is how deep do #Twins go? Pineda is in walk year? Maeda? Buxton? Heard Minny continues to listen and not close doors.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2021
With the trade of Max Scherzer to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the biggest arm left on the market could be Twins starter Jose Berrios. The 27-year-old righty won't come cheap because he was one year of team control remaining after this one. Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox are undoubtedly interested in the two-time All-Star's services.
But that's not all the Twins could have on offer. Veteran starting pitchers Michael Pineda, JA Happ and Kenta Maeda could be available, as could speedy outfielder Byron Buxton. The 27-year-old Buxton and the Twins are far apart on an extension and that could see the Twins move on from the 2012 second overall pick.